Without minimizing the suffering and loss of the Gaza population, it is also necessary to point out a few facts that might dim the enthusiasm of supporters of the fleet of ships sailing to Gaza with "humanitarian supplies," at least among decent people.

In a typical week, 15,000 tons of Israeli humanitarian aid supplies enter Gaza. Truckloads of meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, milk powder, baby food, wheat and other staples arrive in Gaza daily. Building materials are also shipped in, when monitored by International organization so as not to be commandeered by Hamas for the fortification of bunkers. (source ) That is, in a week, Israel sendss more aid to Gaza than is contained in the 10,000 tons of the so-called humanitarian aid flotilla.

The ships sailing from Turkey to Gaza are sponsored by the Turkish organization for Human Rights, Liberties, and Humanitarian Relief (IHH). What does the nature of this group tell us about the "humanitarian" purpose of the voyage? In 2006, a Danish study by Evan F. Kohlmann reported:

Turkish authorities began their own domestic criminal investigation of IHH as early as December 1997, when sources revealed that leaders of IHH were purchasing automatic weapons from other regional Islamic militant groups.43 IHH's bureau in Istanbul was thoroughly searched, and its local officers were arrested. Security forces uncovered an array of disturbing items, including firearms, explosives, bomb-making instructions, and a "jihad flag." After analyzing seized IHH documents, Turkish authorities concluded that "detained members of IHH were going to fight in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Chechnya."44